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COMPILED BY = 

MRS. ELIZABETH F. TANNATT §| 
Historian Esther Reed Chapter 
Daughters of the American Revolution 

Spokane, Washington 

June, 1914 jjj 



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Indian Siatttea in Wc\* Jtnlanit 
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"Daughters of patriot sires, 
Your hands will paint 
Upon the Unfolding Scroll of Time 
The worth of Home and Country." 

At the annual meeting of the Esther Reed Chapter, Daughters 
of the American Revolution, in Spokane, Washington, on June 7th, 
1902, the Chapter historian made a report in which she said : "The 
city of Spokane and surroundings is historic ground, rich in inci- 
dents that should not be allowed to escape the pen of some his- 
torian. We are within forty miles of the spot where Captain Taylor, 
Lieutenant Gaston and five soldiers of the U. S. A. fell in May, 
1858, in the first serious conflict in Eastern Washington between 
the Indians and the troops of our government. 

"Among the peasants of a Scottish highland there is a legend that 
if one stands beneath the colorings of a rainbow looking forward, 
they will see their past; looking backward, they will see their 
future. The bow of promise resting with one of its extremities 
upon the past and the other upon the future of the Chapter, cannot 
fail to leave upon the pages of its history truth and beauty, with 
all the colorings given them by the loyalty which fills the heart of 
every Daughter. May the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
standing beneath the American flag — that emblem of hope wherever 
its glory shines — in looking forward see the past made glorious by 
the heroism of their ancestors and in looking- backward behold 
rising generations with transmitted loyalty. " 

At this date the Chapter numbered 29 members. 

At the sixth annual assembly, D. A. R., June 4th, 1907, held in 
Spokane, a paper upon the Steptoe Expedition, written by Mrs. T. 
R. Tannatt, was read. 

The state regent announced it was the intention of the Esther 
Reed Chapter to erect a monument upon the battlefield near 
Rosalia.. 

As a preliminary to the erection of a monument, the Chapter, on 
May 17th, 1907, went to Rosalia and through the generosity of 
Rosalia people met by appointment the three survivors of the Step- 



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toe and Wright expeditions — Thomas J. Beall, Michael J. Kenny 
and J. J. Rohn. 

In an effort to locate accurately the last stand of the conflict, the 
survivors were separately taken over the battlefield, the result being 
an undisputed statement as to the site. 

Thos. J. Beall was Col. Steptoe's chief pack-master and depicted 
the exciting scenes most vividly, he said : "If it had not been for 
Timothy, the friendly Nez Perce chief, who acted as Steptoe's 
guide, I would not be here today, for the entire command would 
certainly have been annihilated." 

Sergt. Kenny gave an honest, clear account of the whole event, 
which was deeply interesting. 

Mr. Rohn related his part in the disinterring of the remains of 
the two officers. 

Ralph Phelps obtained a photograph of the three veterans as 
they stood upon the sightly spot determined by them as the scene of 
final conflict. 

The Chapter and people of Rosalia immediately took up the 
work of securing the land and funds for a monument. Three acres 
of land were purchased by the citizens of Rosalia and presented to 
the Esther Reed Chapter, D. A. R., the deed being held in perpetual 
trust for the Chapter by the commissioners of Whitman county. 

The formal dedication of the battle-ground occurred on June 
15th, 1908, with impressive ceremonies, the chief executive of the 
state, many men and women prominent in state and county, two 
hundred soldiers with their officers from Fort George Wright, and 
many D. A. R. officials and members uniting to render homage to 
the memory of those who bravely gave their all — their lives — when 
duty called. 

The D. A. R. combined the Park dedication with the Old Set- 
tlers' Reunion in the following program : 

Address of welcome at depot by Mayor F. M. Campbell. 
March to the Memorial Park. 
Music by Colfax Band. 
Invocation, Rev. F. N. Smith. 
Presentation of deed, M. H. West. 
Response, Mrs. M. A. Phelps, State Regent, D. A. R. 
Acceptance of deed, J. R. Ruply, chairman Whitman County 
Commissioners. 

Address, General T. R. Tannatt. 

Reminiscences of the Battle, Thomas J. Beall. 

The Value of the Army as Pioneers, Col. Lea Feabiger, U. S. A. 

"Honor and Love to the Soldiers Give," Rosalia chorus. 

Address, Judge S. J. Chadwick. 

"Victoria, Victoria," Rosalia chorus. 

Address, Governor A. E. Mead. 

"Star Spangled Banner," Rosalia chorus, Colfax band. 

In 1909 an effort to have introduced a bill in the state legislature 
appropriating funds for the monument was unsuccessful. Another 
effort was made in 1911 with like result. 



2 



Thomas J. Beall. Michael J. Kenny. J. J. Rohn. 

The Chapter then resolved to raise the funds, if possible, un- 
aided, and the unit system was adopted among the members. The 
financial depression of the country made progress slow. 

Another effort was made in the legislature in 1913, when the 
bill passed the senate but did not reach the house. Revolutionary 
spirit rose among the Daughters who determined to unveil the mon- 
ument in June, 1914, and the result was the accumulation of suf- 
ficient funds for the purpose. 



THE STEPTOE EXPEDITION 

"Great things have passed this way and we have learned them." 

On May 8th, 1858, some Palouse Indians stole some stock be- 
longing to the government from Fort Walla Walla, where Col. E. 
J. Steptoe was in command. 

At this time complaints of disturbances, caused by Indians and 
suffered by miners en route to the Colville mines, were also brought 
to the notice of the same officer. Two miners from Thompson 
River, B. C, had fallen victims to savage ferocity. 

Lieut. Kip, U. S. A., in his "Journal of the Expedition Against 
the Northern Indians/' states : 

"The Indians had received the report of John Mullan's party 
being on the way to survey and lay out a military road through 
their country and take possession of their lands. * * * A con- 
federacy was formed of all the most powerful tribes. * * * Small 
parties of whites were cut off in every part of the country and even 
the safety of Fort Walla Walla was threatened." 

Lieut. Mullan, U. S. A., was superintendent of the wagon road 
from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton, Dakota, from 1858 to 1863. 



These reports of disturbances determined Col. Steptoe to conduct 
an expedition into the Colville region to restore order; he also 
planned to investigate the recent theft of government stock. 

The line of march led through what are now Columbia and Gar- 
rield counties. 

The Snake river was reached, where a small band of Nez Perces 
resided, whose chief, Timothy, joined the command — a circum- 
stance upon which depended the lives of all. 

Col. Steptoe's Official Report. 

To Maj. W. W. Mackall, 

Asst. Adjutant General U. S. A., 
San Francisco, Cal. 

Fort Walla Walla, May 23, 1858. 

Major: On the second instant I informed you of my intention 
to move northward with a part of my command. Accordingly on 
the 6th I left here with C, E, H, 1st dragoons and E Ninth infantry, 
in all five company officers and 152 enlisted men. Hearing the 
hostile Pelouses were near Al-pow-way, in the Nez Perce's land, I 
moved to that point and was ferried across Snake river by Timothy, 
a Nez Perce chief. The enemy fled to the north and I followed 
leisurely on the road to Colville. 

On Sunday morning, the 16th, when near Te-hots-nim-me, in 
the Spokane country, we found ourselves suddenly in the presence 
of ten or twelve hundred Indians of various tribes, Spokanes, Pe- 
louses, Coeur d'Alenes, Yakimas and some others, all armed, painted 
and defiant. I moved slowly on till just about to enter a ravine, that 
wound around the base of several hills, all crowned by excited sav- 
ages. Perceiving that it was their purpose to attack us in this 
dangerous place, I turned aside and encamped, the whole wild, 
frenzied mass moving parallel to us, and by yells, taunts and men- 
aces apparently trying to drive us to some initiatory act of violence. 
Toward night a number of chiefs rode up to talk with me and in- 
quired what were our motives to this intrusion upon them. I an- 
swered that we were passing on to Colville and had no hostile in- 
tention toward the Spokanes, who had always been our friends, nor 
toward any other tribes who were friendly, that my chief aim in 
coming so far was to see the Indians and the white people at Col- 
ville, and, by friendly discussion with both, endeavor to strengthen 
their good feelings for each other. They expressed themselves 
satisfied, but would not consent to let me have canoes, without 
which it would be impossible to cross Spokane river. I concluded 
for this reason to retrace my steps at once and the next morning, 
the 17th, turned back toward the post. We had not marched three 
miles when the Indians, who had gathered on the hills adjoining 
the line of march, began art attack upon the rear guard and imme- 
diately the fight became general. We labored under the great dis- 
advantage of having tp defend the pack train while in motion, and 
in a rolling country particularly favorable to the Indian mode of 
warfare. We had only a small quantity of ammunition, but in 
their excitement the soldiers could not be restrained from firing it 



4 



in the wildest manner. They did, however, under the leading of 
their respective commanders, sustain well the reputation of the 
army for some hours, charging the enemy repeatedly with gallantry 
and success. The difficult and dangerous duty of flanking the 
column was assigned to Brevet Captain Taylor and Lieut. Gaston, 
to both of whom it proved fatal. The latter fell about twelve o'clock 
and the enemy, soon after, charging formally upon his company, it 
fell back in confusion and could not be rallied. About a half hour 
after this Capt. Taylor was brought in mortally wounded ; upon 
which I immediately took possession of a convenient height and 
halted. The fight continued here with unabated activity; the In- 
dians occupying neighboring hills and working themselves along to 
pick off our men. The wounded increased in number continually. 
Twice the enemy gave unmistakable evidence of a design to carry 
our position by assault and their number and desperate courage 
caused me to fear the most serious consequences to us, from such 
an attempt on their part. It was manifest the loss of their officers 
and comrades began to tell upon the spirit of the soldiers ; that they 
were becoming discouraged and not to be relied upon with confi- 
dence. Some of them were recruits but recently joined. 

Two of the companies had musketoons, which were utterly 
worthless in our present condition and what was most alarming 
only two or three rounds of cartridges remained to some of the 
men, and but few to any of them. 

It was plain the enemy would give the troops no rest during the 
night, and they would be still further disqualified for further re- 
sistance on the morrow ; while the number of the enemy would 
certainly be increased. I determined for these reasons to make a 
forced march to Snake river, about eighty-five miles distant, and 
secure the canoes in advance of the Indians, who had already 
threatened to do the same in regard to us. 

After consulting with the officers, all of whom urged me to the 
step as the only means, in their opinion, of securing the safety of 
the command, I concluded to abandon everything that might im- 
pede our march. Accordingly we set out about ten o'clock at night 
in perfectly good order, leaving the disabled ani.matsv.and such as 
were not in a condition to travel so far and fast, and «ti ith deep pain, 
I have to add, the two howitzers. The necessity of this last meas- 
ure will give you as well as many words a conception of the strait 
to which we believed ourselves reduced. Not an officer doubted 
that we would be overwhelmed with the first rush of the enemy 
upon our position in the morning; to retreat further by day, with 
our wounded men and property, was out of the question ; to retreat 
slowly by night equally so, as we would not then be in a position to 
fight all next day; it was therefore necessary to relieve ourselves 
of all incumbrance and to fly. 

We had no horses able to carry the guns over eighty miles with- 
out resting, and if the enemy should attack us en route, as from their 
ferocity we certainly expected that they would, not a soldier would 
be spared for any other duty than skirmishing. * * * Enclosed 
is a list of the killed and wounded. The enemy acknowledged a loss 

5 



of nine killed and forty to fifty wounded, many of them mortally. 
It is known to us that this is an under-estimate for one of the of- 
ficers informs me that on a single spot where Lieutenants Gregg 
and Gaston met, in joint charge, twelve dead Indians were counted. 
Many others were seen to fall. 

Your obedient servant, 

E. J. STEPTOE, 
Brev't Lieut. Colonel U. S. A. 

Report of wounded and killed in the battle of Te-hots-nim-me, 
May 17th, 1858: 

Company C, First Dragoons 

Killed— Brevet Capt. O. H. P. Taylor, Private Alfred Barnes. 
Mortally wounded — Victor Charles De Moy. 

Company E, First Dragoons 

Killed — 2nd Lieutenant William Gaston. 

Mortally wounded — 1st Sergt. William C. Williams. 

Company H, First Dragoons 

Killed — Private Charles H. Hamish and James Crozet. 



Recollections of a Soldier 

In an interview with John O'Neil, who participated in the Step- 
toe and Wright campaigns, published in the Spokesman-Review 
April 2nd, 1905, he said: "On Saturday evening the command went 
into camp. Early the next morning parties of Indians began to 
appear at camp and were allowed to pass freely among the soldiers. 
Steptoe decided not to proceed further that day. Indians began to 
increase in numbers and grew insolent. As the day wore on many 
engaged in taunting the soldiers, a few going so far as to fire their 
guns; some saying 'This is Sunday; tomorrow we fight.' 

"Lieut. Gaston, a southern gentleman, had with him a young 
negro, who excited the curiosity of the Indians. Evidently they had 
never before seen a specimen of his race, and persisted in lavishing 
upon him such personal attentions as became annoying. They 
would examine the skin on his face and hands with discomforting 
minuteness, and would grab into his kinky locks and endeavor to 
straighten them out. Everyone was directed to avoid making any 
move that would precipitate a clash with the visitors, and the darky 
was, therefore, compelled to endure his popularity uncomplainingly, 
expressing his disgust in no stronger terms than : Tf you alls git 
dat 'ar wool you alls will have to fight for it.' 

"The situation grew alarming to a high degree. * * * As 
night came on, the Indians left camp. 

"Before sunrise next morning, May 17, Col. Steptoe's command 
was marching southward. * * * As Steptoe desired to avoid the 
appearance of having precipitated a warfare by this expedition, he 



gave strict orders that the Indians' fire should not be returned until 
some one of the command was wounded. * * * A squad of In- 
dians decked in war regalia, dashed across the trail to the rear of 
the column and fired as they ran, but their distance was too great. 
They circled and recrossed the trail firing at closer range. These 
tactics were continued until Lieut. Gaston, who was covering the 
rear, sent a man to inform Steptoe that he was closely pressed. The 
man returned to report no change of orders. 

"Gaston's horse fell under him and he mounted another, and still 
the column forged ahead in stubborn silence. A second horse fell 
under him and a ball tore across the back of his hand. Then the 
first volley was sent among the howling pursuers. Soon after that 
Gaston fell mortally wounded." 



Evening at the Battle-ground 

The white camp was surrounded by Indian sentinels who were 
guarding every avenue of escape, save one, which was a difficult 
pass and it was supposed by the Indians that soldiers did not know 
of it and could not travel it. 

This was the only hope left the exhausted soldiers and this is 
wherein the Nez Perce chief Tam-mu-tsa (Timothy) and his two 
associates became the rescuers of the entire command. 

The night was cheerless and dark and when all had become 
comparatively still, the entire force mounted and followed the chief 
in single file, as silently as possible, out through the unguarded pass. 

Lieut. Gregg was in command of the rear guard. Sergt. Kenny 
had charge of six men in the extreme rear and was last to leave 
camp. From him and Thomas Beall we have learned the sad de- 
tails. 

Through the long dark night they followed the faithful chief 
upon whose fidelity their lives depended. The wounded, except 
those who could take care of themselves soon fell by the way, while 
the long line of fugitives passed over the plains and hills to Snake 
river and safety. 

Twenty-four hours later they had ridden 70 miles and reached 
that stream about four miles down it from where the Indian guide 
lived, at the mouth of Alpowa creek. Going up the river to Timo- 
thy's village, that chief placed his own people out as guards and set 
the women of the tribe to ferrying the exhausted soldiers, and their 
effects across the stream. This was not completed until the night 
of the next day, and on the 20th of May, Steptoe's party met Cap- 
tain Dent with supplies and reinforcements on the Pataha creek 
where the road, now leading from Dayton to Pomeroy, crosses it. 
Here the worn-out fugitives went into camp, for a time to rest and 
while there they were overtaken by Chief Lawyer of the Nez 
Perces, at the head of a formidable war party, himself bearing the 
Stars and Stripes, who wished the soldiers to go back with him and 
try it over again. The troops continued their way to Walla Walla, 
which was reached May 22nd. How this nation learned the rout 
of Steptoe so soon after it happened, was never explained, save 



7 



that the information — and they had many details of the affair — 
came to them through that wonderful system of communication 
by signaling, that served the purpose of telegraphy to the aborigi- 
nes. 

For more than fifty years Timothy repeatedly exhibited his de- 
votion to the whites, dating from the time when Missionary Spauld- 
ing in the 30s Anglicized the name of the chief who had been known 
to the Indians as Tam-mu-tsa. In saving the lives of troops, and 
in the rescue of Eliza Spaulding, a daughter of the missionary, this 
convert showed that he valued his teachings. 

Timothy's sympathies with the whites were not limited to serv- 
ices in their behalf; he aspired to common citizenship with them. 
He declined to go upon the reservation or take part with the other 
Nez Perces. He was naturalized and exercised the right of a citizen 
to take up a homestead of 160 acres, at his birthplace at the mouth 
of Alpowa creek. 

How shall we rank brave Tam-mu-tsa — the noble hearted Pres- 
byterian Indian, hero and preserver of the expedition? 

He was more than soldier and just less than sage — 

"And though the warrior's sun is set} 

Its light shall linger round us yet — bright, radiant, blest." 



COL. WRIGHT'S CAMPAIGN 

"Other men have fought, bled and died, and we have entered into 
the fruits of their sacrifice." 

When the news of Col. Steptoe's defeat reached General Clark, 
commanding the department, he at once ordered the regular army 
force available on the Pacific coast to rendezvous at Walla Walla. 

Col. George Wright was placed in command with instructions to 
suppress the Indians. 

Fort Taylor 

In August. 1858, Fort Taylor was erected as a base of operations 
on the south side of Snake river. 

On the 27th of that month, the entire force under Col. Wright 
crossed the river to enter upon a campaign against the northern In- 
dians. At the close of Col. Wright's campaign Fort Taylor was 
abandoned. 

BATTLE OF "FOUR-LAKES" 

Col. Wright's Report 

Headquarters, Expedition against Northern Indians, Camp at Four 
Lakes, W. T. Lat. 47, 32° North. Long. 117, 39° West. 

September 2d, 1858. 
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the bat- 
tle of the "Four Lakes," fought, and won, by the troops under my 



8 



command, on the 1st inst. Our enemies were the Spokane, Coeur 
d'Alene, and Pelouse Indians. 

Early in the morning of the 1st, I observed the Indians collect- 
ing on the summit of a high , hill, about two miles distant, and I 
immediately ordered the troops under arms, with a view of driving 
the enemy from his position, and making a reconnaissance of the 
country in advance. 

At half-past 9 A. M. I marched from my camp with two squad- 
rons of the 1st dragoons, commanded by Brevet Major W. N. Grier; 
four companies of the third artillery, armed with rifle muskets, com- 
manded by Capt. E. D. Keyes ; and the rifle battalion of two com- 
panies of the 9th infantry, commanded by Capt. F. T. Dent; also 
one mountain howitzer, under command of Lieut. J. L. White, 3rd 
artillery, and thirty friendly Nez Perces Indian allies, under com- 
mand .of Lieut. John Mullan, 2nd artillery. I left in camp all the 
equipage and supplies, strongly guarded by company "M," 3rd ar- 
tillery, commanded by Lieuts. H. G. Gibson and G. B. Dandy, one 
mountain howitzer, manned, and, in addition, a guard of fifty-four 
men under Lieut. H. B. Lyon, the whole commanded by Captain 
J. A. Hardie, the field officer of the day. 

I ordered Brevet Major Grier to advance to the north and east, 
around the base of the hill occupied by the Indians, with a view 
to intercepting the retreat when driven from the summit by the 
foot troops. I marched with the artillery and rifle battalion and 
Nez Perces to the right of the hill, in order to gain a position where 
the ascent was more easy, and also to push the Indians in the direc- 
tion of the dragoons. Arriving within 600 yards of the Indians, I 
ordered Captain Keyes to .advance a company of his battalian de- 
ployed and drive the Indians from the hill. This service was gal- 
lantly accomplished by Captain Ord and Lieutenant Morgan, with 
Company K, 3rd Artillery, in co-operation with the 2nd Squadron 
of dragoons under Lieutenant Davidson ; the Indians were driven to 
the foot of the hill, and there rallied under cover of ravines, trees 
and bushes. 

On reaching the crest of the hill I saw at once that the Indians 
were determined to measure their strength with us, showing no 
disposition to avoid a combat, and firmly maintaining their posi- 
tion at the base of the hill, keeping up a constant fire upon the two 
squadrons of dragoons, who were awaiting the arrival of the foot 
troops. In front of us lay a vast plain, with some 400 or 500 
mounted warriors, rushing to and fro, wild with excitement, and 
apparently eager for the fray ; to the right, at the foot of the hill, in 
the pine forest, the Indians were also seen in large numbers. 

With all I have described, in plain view, a tyro in the art of 
war could not have hesitated a moment as to the plan of battle. 

Captain Keyes, with two companies of his battalion, commanded 
by Lieutenants Ransom and Ihrie, with Lieutenant Howard, was 
ordered to deploy along the crest of the hill, in rear of the dragoons, 
and facing the plain. 

The rifle battalion under Captain Dent, composed, of two com- 
panies of the 9th infantry under Captain Winder and Lieutenant 



9 



Fleming, was ordered to move to the right and deploy in front of 
the pine forest ; and the howitzer under Lieutenant White, sup- 
ported by a company of artillery under Lieutenant Tyler, was ad- 
vanced to a lower plateau, in order to gain a position where it could 
be fired with effect. 

In five minutes the troops were deployed. I ordered the ad- 
vance. Captain Keys moved steadily down the long slope, passed 
the dragoons, and opened a sharp, well-directed fire, which drove 
the Indians to the plains and pine forest. At the same time Captain 
Dent with the rifle battalion, Lieutenant White with the howitzer, 
and Lieutenant Tyler with his company, were hotly engaged with 
the Indians in the pine forest, constantly increasing by fugitives 
from the left. 

Captain Keyes continued to advance, the Indians retiring slowly; 
Major Grier, with both squadrons, quietly leading his horses in the 
rear. At a signal they mount, they rush with lightning speed 
through the intervals of skirmishers, and charge the Indians on the 
plain, overwhelm them entirely, kill many, defeat and disperse them 
all and in five minutes not a hostile Indian was to be seen on the 
plain. While this scene was enacting, Dent, Winder and Fleming, 
with the rifle battalion, and Tyler and White with Company "A" and 
the howitzer, had pushed rapidly forward and driven the Indians 
out of the forest beyond view. 

After the charge of dragoons, and pursuit for over a mile on the 
hills, they were halted, their horses being completely exhausted, and 
the foot troops again passed them about a thousand yards ; but find- 
ing only a few Indians in front of us, on remote hill-tops, I would 
not pursue them with my tired soldiers, a couple of shots from 
the howitzer sent them out of sight. The battle was won. I 
sounded the recall, assembled the troops, and returned to our camp 
at 2 P. M. 

It affords me the highest gratification to report that we did not 
lose a man either killed or wounded during the action, attributable, 
I doubt not, in a great measure, to the fact that our long range rifles 
can reach the enemy, where he cannot reach us. The enemy lost 
eighteen or twenty men killed and many wounded. I take great 
plasure in commending to the Department the coolness and gal- 
lantry displayed by every officer and soldier engaged in this battle. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servt., 

G. WRIGHT, 
Col. 9th Infy., Commanding. 
Major W. W. Mackall, Asst. Adt. Gen., Head Quar. Dept. of the 
Pacific, Fort Vancouver, W. T. 



• 0 



BATTLE BETWEEN FOUR LAKES AND SPOKANE FALLS 

II. 

Official Report of Colonel Wright 

Headquarters, Expedition Against Northern Indians, Camp on Spo- 
kane River, W. T., iy 2 Miles Below the Falls. 

September 6, 1858. 
To Maj. W. Mackall, Assistant Adjt. General, U. S. Army. 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the bat- 
tle of the Spokane Indians, fought by the troops under my com- 
mand on the 5th inst. Our enemies were the Spokanes, Coeur 
'd'Alenes, Pelouses and Pend d'Oreilles, numbering from five to 
seven hundred warriors. 

Leaving my camp at the "Four Lakes" at 6V2 A. M. on the 5th, 
our route lay along the margin of a lake for about three miles, and 
thence for two miles over a broken country thinly scattered with 
pines, when emerging on to the open prairie, the hostile Indians 
were discovered about three miles to our right and in advance, mov- 
ing rapidly along the skirt of the woods and apparently with a view 
of intercepting our line of march before we should reach the tim- 
bers. 

After halting and closing up our long pack train, I moved for- 
ward and soon found that the Indians were setting fire to the grass 
at various points in front and on my right flank. Capt. Keyes was 
now directed to advance three of his companies, deployed as skir- 
mishers, to the front and right. This order was promptly obeyed 
and Captain Ord with Company K, Lieut. Gibson with Company 
M, and Lieut. Tyler with Company A, 3rd Artillery, were thrown 
forward. At the same time Capt. Hardie, Company G, 3rd Artil- 
lery, was deployed to the left, and the howitzer under Lieut. White, 
supported by Company E, 9th Infantry, were advanced to the line 
of skirmishers. The firing now became brisk on both sides, the In- 
dians attacking us in front and on both flanks. The fires on the 
prairie nearly enveloped us, and were rapidly approaching our 
troops and the pack train. Not a moment was to be lost. I ordered 
the advance. The skirmishers, the howitzer, and the 1st squadron 
of dragoons under Major Grier, dashed gallantly through the roar- 
ing flames and the Indians were driven to seek shelter in the forest 
and rocks. As soon as a suitable position could be obtained, the 
howitzer under White opened fire with shell. The Indians were 
again routed from their cover, closely pursued by our skirmishers, 
and followed by Grier, with his squadron leading. 

All this time our pack train was concentrated as much as pos- 
sible, and guarded by Capt. Dent, 9th Infantry, with his Company 
B, Lieut. Davidson, 1st Dragoons, with his Company E, and Lieut. 
Ihrie, 3rd Artillery, with his Company B, advancing. The trail 
bore off to the right, which threw Ord and Tyler with their skir- 
mishers to the left. A heavy body of Indians had concentrated on 
our left, when our whole line moved quickly forward and the firing 
became general throughout the front, occupied by Ord, Hardie and 
Tyler, and the howitzer under White, supported by Winder with 



11 



Gregg's troop of dragoons following in rear, waiting for a favorable 
opportunity to make a dash. At the same time, Gibson, with Com- 
pany M, 3rd Artillery, drove the Indians on the right front; an open 
plain here intervening, Major Grier passed the skirmishers with his 
own and Lieut. Pender's troops, and charged the Indians, killing 
two and wounding three. 

Our whole line and train advanced steadily, driving the Indians 
over rocks and through ravines. 

Our point of direction having been changed to the right, Capt. 
Ord found himself alone with his company on the extreme left of 
the skirmishers and opposed by a large body of the enemy. 

They were gallantly charged by Captain Ord and driven suc- 
cessfully from the high table rocks, where they had taken refuge. 
Captain Ord pursued the Indians, until, approaching the train, he 
occupied the left flank. 

Moving forward toward the Spokane river, the Indians still in 
front, Lieutenants Ihrie and Howard, with Company B, 3rd Artil- 
lery, were thrown out on the right flank and instantly cleared the 
way. And after a continuous fight for seven hours, over a distance 
of fourteen miles, we encamped on the banks of the Spokane river 
— the troops exhausted by a long and fatiguing march, twenty-five 
miles, without water and for two-thirds of the distance under fire. 

The battle was won, two chiefs and two brothers of the Chief 
Garry killed, besides many of lesser note either killed or wounded. 
(Since the battle we learn that Kam-i-a-ken, war chief of the Yak- 
imas, was nearly killed by a shell.) A kind Providence again pro- 
tected us, although at many times the balls flew thick and fast 
through our ranks, yet we had but one man slightly wounded. 

The friendly Nez Perces were employed chiefly as spies and 
guides, as well as guards to the pack train. As usual they behaved 
well. * * * 

Respectfully, etc., 

G. WRIGHT, 
9th Inf'y, Com'g. 



Lieut. Kip's Account 

We quote from Lieut. Kip's journal: 

September 5th : This day's battle ended the fighting, the sav- 
ages, terror stricken, began to scatter and Col. Wright pushed on 
toward the Coeur d'Alene mission. 

On the way Chief Garry came in to ask that peace might be 
granted the Spokanes and Colonel Wright replied to him : "I have 
met you in two battles, you have been badly whipped ; you have 
had several chiefs and many warriors killed or wounded ; I have not 
lost a man or animal. I have a large force, and you, Spokanes, 
Coeur d'Alenes, Pelouzes and Pend d' Oreilles, may unite and I can 
defeat you as badly as before. I did not come into the country to 
ask you to make peace; I am here to fight. Now, when you are 
tired of war, and ask for peace, I will tell you what you must do. 



12 



You must come to me with your arms, with your women and chil- 
dren, and everything you have, and lay them at my feet. You must 
put your faith in me and trust to my mercy. If you do this, I will 
then tell you the terms upon which I give you peace. If you do not 
do this, war will be made upon you this year and the next and until 
your nation shall be exterminated." 

On the 8th of September a large band of horses were captured 
from Til-ko-hitz, a chief of the Palouse tribe, and the next day 986 
of them, including colts, were shot, by order of Col. Wright. This 
was the finishing stroke. To the Indians Col. Wright and his sol- 
diers were a devastating scourge, and a comet appearing in the heav- 
ens, at this time lent its terrifying, nightly presence, to quench the 
last spark of resistance and patriotism among them ; they were 
crushed indeed, when they saw the Great Spirit had sent his flam- 
ing sword to hang over them in the heavens. 



Council 

Reaching the mission, Col. Wright found the Indians so terror 
stricken that it was difficult to get them to come in. 

They wanted peace but were afraid to come near the soldiers 
who had handled them so roughly. With the assistance of the 
priests this was finally accomplished and the interview that fol- 
lowed, we give as a sample of several others, held later with tribes 
that had been hostile. Said Vincent, chief of the Coeur d'Alenes : 
"I have committed a great crime. I am fully conscious of it and am 
deeply sorry for it. I and all my people are rejoiced that you are 
willing to forgive us. I have done." 

Col. Wright (to the Indians) : "As your chief has said, you have 
committed a great crime. It angered your Great Father and I have 
been sent to punish you. You attacked Col. Steptoe wdien he was 
passing peaceably through your country and you have killed some 
of his men. But you ask for peace and you shall have it on certain 
conditions. 

"You see you fight against us hopelessly. I have a great many 
soldiers at Walla Walla and have a large body coming from Salt 
Lake City. What can you do against us? I can place my soldiers 
on your plains, by your fishing grounds, and in the mountains 
where you catch game and your helpless families cannot run away. 
You shall have peace on the following conditions. You must deliver 
to me, to take to the General, the men who struck the first blow in 
the affair with Col. Steptoe. You must deliver to me, to take to 
Walla W T alla, one chief and four warriors, with their families. You 
must deliver all property taken in the affair with Col. Steptoe. You 
must allow all troops and other white men to pass unmolested 
through your country. You must not allow any hostile Indians to 
come into your country and not engage in any hostilities against any 
white man. I promise you, that if you will comply with all require- 
ments, none of your people shall be harmed, but I will withdraw 
from your country and you shall have peace forever. 



13 



"I also require that the hatchet shall be buried between you and 
our friends, the Nez Perces." 

The Nez Perces were called and the part referring to them was 
repeated to the Coeur d'Alenes in their presence. 

Vincent replied : "I desire to hear what the Nez Perce heart is." 

Hait-ze-mal-i-ken, the chief of the Nez Perces, stood forth and 
said : "You behold me before you, and I will lay my heart open, 
to you. I desire there shall be peace between us. It shall be as the 
Colonel says. I will never wage war against any of the friends of 
the white man." 

Vincent : "It does my heart good and makes all my people glad, 
to hear you speak so. I have desired peace between us. There 
shall never be war between our people, nor between us and the 
white man. The past is forgotten." 

The propositions of the Colonel were then formally accepted, and 
having been signed by him and his officers, they were signed also 
by Vincent and the other chiefs and headmen. They then smoked 
the pipe of peace all around and the council broke up. 

On the return of the expedition to Walla Walla, we learn from 
Lieut. Kipp's journal, that the morning General Wright's command 
was in camp ten miles from Col. Steptoe's battlefield, a small force 
was dispatched to the place to try and recover the remains of the 
gallant men who were killed in that action, that with proper cere- 
monies their comrades might commit them to earth, "paying to 
them the last honors which a soldier can have." 

"The party consisted of three companies of dragoons — Major 
Grier's, Lieutenants Gregg and Pender's — together with Lieutenant 
White with the howitzer's mules to bring in the guns. Dr. Ran- 
dolph who (as well as Lieut. Gregg) was in the battle, accompanied 
the command. Lieut. Howard was also with them, together with 
Lieut. Mullan and party. The latter was sent to determine the po- 
sition of the battle ground, while his assistants were to make a map 
and sketches of the place. Some Spokanes and Coeur d'Alenes went 
as guides. 

In the afternoon an express arrived from Lieut. Mullan, at 
Steptoe's battle ground, to inform Col. Wright that they "had been 
entirely successful in the object of their expedition." 

At noon (Sept. 25th) the dragoons returned from their expedi- 
tion to the battlefield. 

They reached there at twelve o'clock the day before, and found 
the hills, which on the sad day were swarming with their excited 
foes, now as silent and deserted as a city of the dead. The whole 
battlefield presented a scene of desolation. 

In the heat of the battle but few of the bodies could be recovered, 
but in the night before their retreat these few were the only ones 
which could receive a hasty burial. The rest had to be left on the 
field where they met their fate. The wolves and the birds of prey 
had held their festival and for nearly six months the sun and rain 
had bleached the whitened bones which were scattered around. 

As Lieut. Gregg and Dr. Randolph rode over the field, they 
could point out to the other officers the scene of each event in that 



14 



■» 



day's hard fighting" — where the battle began, where charge after 
charge was made to drive back the foes who so far outnumbered 
them, where Taylor and Gaston fell in the desperate attack at the 
head of their men, and where they were gathered at night for the 
brief consultation, worn out with the contest, yet seventy-five miles 
of country to be passed over before they could place the river be- 
tween them and their exulting enemies. 

The remains of the two officers were found and the scattered 
bones of the men gathered up, to be brought back. The two howit- 
zers were found, also, where they had been buried. The Indians 
had not disturbed them, but contented themselves with carrying off 
the gun carriages, which they afterward burned. 

One thing more remained to be done. Among the articles left 
on the ground was a pair of shafts belonging to one of the guns. 
These were taken and fashioned into a rude cross, which was set 
up in the midst of the battlefield, to remind all future travelers of 
the sad event of which this had been the scene. And then, after 
depositing around it all that could be gathered up from the relics 
scattered over the hillsides and wherever the fight was waged, they 
left the field in solemn silence. 

Poor Gaston, my parting with him was at West Point, when full 
of life and spirits and bright anticipations of his future career. My 
last recollection of him, is in his gray cadet uniform. I never saw 
him after, until I thus stood by his remains today. He was every 
inch a soldier; and, when during the last year, ill health weighed 
him down, and he feared the approach of that feebleness which 
would withdraw him from his duties, his military spirit seemed to 
be the strongest impulse left. He often expressed the hope that 
he might die in battle, and thus it was that his wish was gratified. 
He had a soldier's death, and will have a soldier's burial and grave. 

"The fresh turf, and not the feverish bed." 



Fort Walla Walla, Oct. 7th. : Today we turn to more solemn 
duties. At ten o'clock took place the burial of Captain Taylor, 
Lieutenant Gaston, and the remains of the men which had been 
found on Colonel Steptoe's battle ground. It was from this post 
they had marched forth and here they were to be laid to their rest. 
They were of course buried with military honors, the ceremony be- 
ing invested with all the pageantry which was possible to show re- 
spect to the memory of our gallant comrades. Ail the officers, 
thirty-nine in number, and the troops at the post, amounting to 
eight hundred (reinforcements having arrived since our departure) 
were present and took part in the ceremonies. The horses of the 
dead, draped in black, having on them the officers' swords and boots, 
were led behind the coffins. The remains were taken about half a 
mile from the post and there interred. 

Three volleys were fired over them and we left them where day 
after day the notes of the bugle will be borne over their graves while 



15 



we cherish their memories as those who laid down their young lives 
on the battlefield for their country. 

Later the remains of Capt. Taylor and Lieut. Gaston were re- 
moved to the cemetery at West Point, where they rest with honored 
dead. Inscribed on their tombstones is : "Killed in the Battle of 
Te-hots-nim-me." 

Lieut. Kip concludes his account with : "That immense tract of 
splendid country over which we marched, is now open to the white 
man, and the time is not far distant when settlers will begin to 
occupy it and the farmer can discover that he can reap his harvest 
and the miner explore his ores, without danger from his former sav- 
age foes." 

After the Battle of "Four Lakes" an Oregon paper published 
this statement : "No event has ever done so much to secure the 
safety of our settlers as this victory." 



In Memoriam 

The inscriptions on the monument erected are : "Sacred to the 
memory of the officers and soldiers of the United States Army who 
lost their lives on this field in desperate conflict with the Indians 
in the Battle of Te-hots-nim-me, May 17th, 1858." 

"In memory of Chief Tam-mu-tsa (Timothy) and the Christian 
Nez Perce Indians — rescuers of the Steptoe expedition." 

"Erected by the Esther Reed Chapter, Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, Spokane, Washington, June 14th, 1914." 




H92 74 



